Lesson Blog Jan 11th, 2025 - Hatsugama (First Kettle) No.1

It is the first practice of the year on a beautiful day with blue skies. The pine needles are spread in the Roji garden of the Shorai-an and the sound of water from the stone basin is refreshing.

The practice is Hatsugama, which is New Year Celebration gathering for tea celemony. We studied the preparation of the host and the manners of the guests.

The hanging scroll on the alcove is "Shogiku Mannen no Yorokobi," a wish for the joy of the New Year and for long-lasting happiness.

The kogo, a liddled incense container, for Sumi-temae, the procedure for laying the charcoal in a sunken hearth, is a celadon snake. I blended the kneaded incense as my favorite, based on "Kurobo" (Kogado at Azabu).
Once the fragrance of the incense had settled down, we had Tenjin instead of Kaiseki.

During the Tenjin, learned how to accept the Oshiki, handle the Sakazuki and Kannabe, clean the bowl, and drop the chopsticks at the end of the meal.

The main confectionery is "Hanabira Mochi" (Sentaro). The sweets container is Fuchidaka.

The guests left tea room and go out from the Roji. During the guests having the rest, the hosts prepared tea room for the second half of tea ceremony.